LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA

This bond measure allows the state to issue $350 million dollars of general obligation bonds for the
construction and renovation of public library facilities. The state will use these funds to provide
grants to local governments to: (1) build new libraries; (2) acquire sites; (3) expand or renovate
existing libraries or other facilities for conversion to public libraries; (4) furnish and equip
facilities funded under this program to make them fully operational; (5) pay fees to architects,
engineers, and other professionals to plan or execute the project. The funds cannot be used for
books and library materials, certain administrative costs, costs related to financing the project,
ongoing operational expenses for the new or renovated facility, or grant preparation.

Local agencies are eligible to apply to the state for grants of $50,000 to $20 million. Local agencies
are required to pay 35% of the project's cost. The measure establishes priorities for grant funds.
For new libraries the state will give priority to libraries that have entered into cooperative
agreements with schools districts for the joint use of facilities. For remodeling or renovation,
priority will be given to projects in areas where public schools have inadequate facilities to support
access to computers and other educational technology. The measure establishes a six-member state
board to adopt policies for the program and to decide which local agencies will receive grants. The
Senate Appropriations Committee estimates that the measure will cost the state $600 million ($350
million in principal and $250 million in interest) over 25 years at 5 percent interest.

BACKGROUND

In 1988, state voters approved Proposition 85 which provided $75 million in state bonds for library
construction and renovation. This program funded 24 projects. A 1998 survey by the State Library
identified 425 needed library construction/renovation projects at a cost of $2 billion. Local
government budgets, due to the effects of Proposition 13 and the shift of property taxes to schools
as the state addressed the economic decline of the early 1990s, have not been able to keep up with
increasing service and construction needs. A small federal grant program for local library facilities
ended a few years ago. Additionally, libraries are facing new demands with significant population
growth and the rapid emergence of the internet. Today, many libraries do not have adequate
facilities to serve diverse community needs, current facilities do not comply with Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) or seismic standards, and the buildings are not equipped to support current
information technologies.

IMPORTANT POINTS

Our public libraries are vital centers of lifelong learning and literacy. They are safe places for
students to complete homework assignments and for adults to continue their learning and skill
development.

California fourth grade students rank next to last on the 1998 National Assessment of
Educational Progress. This bond measure is critical to strengthen our educational system.

Even though many homes have access to the internet, library visits have increased significantly.
There is a growing "digital divide" between those who can afford technology and those who
cannot. Libraries provide access to everyone.